Open Spaces offer free knowledge sharing about infinite questions
Author: Marco Chiletti, PMP
In 2020, the PMI Switzerland Chapter launched a new series of virtual events called ‘Open Spaces’ with the aim to connect Project Managers and allow them to share their knowledge and experience around Project Management.
‘Planning for success in Agile delivery’, ‘Stakeholder and Team management’, ‘Conversation around the theme of Project Management tools’ are just a few of the Open Spaces topics that took place to date.
After having joined a number of Open Spaces, I am happy to share my experience hoping you can find valuable insights and maybe inspiring you to join the next Open Space. If so, we are certainly going to meet there.
Open Space is a virtual, safe and non-recorded event that takes place on Zoom, where project managers connect and discuss a topic shared beforehand. The main principles of the event are:
- Whoever come are the right people
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
- Whenever the given discussion starts is the right time
- When it’s over, it’s over, and
- If any participant finds themselves in a situation where they are neither learning nor contributing, they can go to another breakout room
At the beginning of Open Space, every participant introduces him/herself - a wonderful and easy way to break the ice.
Shortly after introductions, every participant can pose questions to which he or she is looking for answers. Of course, these questions revolve around the main topic of the event. After questions are listed,, the moderator opens the first 3 breakout rooms with the first 3 questions. The breakout rooms last around 10 minutes and each participant is free to join the room he or she desires.
Here is where the magic happens!
In each breakout room an open discussion starts, to help find the best answer to the question of the room. Each professional shares experience, ideas and possible solutions to solve the issue or to give hints which will ultimately be helpful to find the answer to the question.
It’s a collaborative and enriching experience for both speakers and participants. You find people with diverse backgrounds, from a variety of industries, who implement different project management methodologies, each with their own style.
It’s the right environment to get to know each other and to work together towards a common goal. Here you can start professional relationships, network or even make new friends.
After the time of the first 3 breakout rooms expires, 3 new breakout rooms with next questions from the list are opened. This process is repeated until all questions are properly explored.
As you can imagine, the number of topics and questions that can be covered are infinite. And the more participants there are, the more enriching the experience is.
If you joined PMI Switzerland Chapter to network and to know more about how other Project Managers work and face challenges, you definitely need to join Open Spaces!
Open Spaces take place on a bi-monthly basis and are announced on the PMI Switzerland Chapter webpage, via Social Networks, and via email as event notification to the ones who subscribe to the Event notification email list. Open Spaces are free to join for all PMI Switzerland Chapter members and are eligible to issue PDUs for the renewal of PMP and other PMI Certifications. The organisers of Open Spaces also warmly encourage people from outside the chapter to participate, as diversity only benefits the experience.
About me: 6+ years of project management experience in organizational improvement and development of industrial projects to enlarge company sites throughout different geographies. Emotional intelligence to understand and lead others, Customer-focus, Accountability, Respect and Curiosity are the principles that guide my action.
Marco Chiletti, PMP